Campers in Big Bend's backcountry attract wildlife not only by their presence, but by the water and food they bring with them. Do your part to properly store food, water and other attactive items away from the reach of animals, whether you are backpcaking in the Chisos Mountains or camping at a primitive roadsite campsite.

Black bear, birds, javelina, skunks, kangaroo rats and other animals can and will explore your campsite looking for scraps of food.

There really are no problem animals—only problem people. With your help, wildlife and humans can live safely together in Big Bend.

Store ALL edible items in the animal-proof food lockers provided in all Chisos Mountains campsites. This means things a bear would eat, such as:

• food (even canned and freeze-dried)
• water bottles, filters, and any other liquids
• trash
• dirty dishes
• toiletries: soap, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen.

Do not leave edible items unattended at any time. Carry everything with you or store it in a bear-proof locker and at roadside campsites in a hard-sided vehicle (with the windows rolled up).

NEVER leave edible items in your pack or take them into your tent at night. Do not eat in your tent.

Keep your camp clean of food scraps, grease, etc. Cook away from your sleeping area. Dispose of cooking water in the camper sinks in the Chisos Basin campground or well away from camp in the backcountry. Strain the water to insure that you are not dumping food scraps on the ground.

Pack out ALL trash, including food scraps and grease. Don’t create a problem for the next campers. Do not leave food or trash in the storage locker.

Break down your tent when not in use. Wildife can be curious or attacted by food smells and may explore your tent, causing expensive damage. Leave backpacks open at night, too.